2005 Nissan Maxima recalls and problems

The 2005 Nissan Maxima has 2 safety recalls and 948 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
948
Crashes / fires
16 / 10
Injuries / deaths
29 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Nissan Maxima vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Nissan Maxima recalls

Recall 05V-512: Seats

Reported Nov 7, 2005 · 102,551 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with the driver preferred package, the wire harness from the driver's seat power lumbar support switch may be routed incorrectly and could be pinched under the driver seat.

Risk: A pinched harness, in combination with driving vibration, may result in a short circuit in the harness that could lead to a fire in the seat.

Fix: Dealers will replace the wire harness and route it correctly. The recall began on january 16, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall 05V-338: Child Seat

Reported Jul 26, 2005 · 90,016 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the lower anchorage brackets in the rear seats do not meet the location requirement in this standard. This may cause difficulty in attaching some child seats to these brackets.

Risk: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the lower anchorage brackets with modified brackets to ensure that the standard is met. The recall began on august 28, 2006. The infiniti q45 model vehicles are being campaigned under a separate recall (Please see 05v374000). Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.

2005 Nissan Maxima problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train782
Engine61
Engine and Engine Cooling40
Electrical System39
Vehicle Speed Control33
Unknown or Other27
Structure25
Steering17
Tires17
Service Brakes, Hydraulic14
Suspension13
Seats13

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 306
  • Structure › Body — 15
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 8
  • Tires › Sidewall — 7
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 6
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust — 5
  • Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash — 2
  • Suspension › Front — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 85,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Nissan Maxima complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Mar 3, 2025
While driving my car down the road the vehicle randomly shut off lost power and I had to quickly pull into a plaza but was almost hit, looking through many different Nissan forums a lot of mechanics and owners are saying that the original crankshaft/camshaft position sensors on the Altima/maxima have experienced faulty mechanics over time that cause it to overheat and stop working and locking up the system completely. This is a huge problem as I can’t afford to fix this myself and it could have caused a serious accident this should be investigated due to other recalls on the Altima with the…
Air Bags · reported Aug 8, 2023
On June 6th. 2019 my 2005 nissan maxima struck a disabled vehicle left in the middle lane of the Long Island Expressway (a 3 laned highway). Although I was traveling at 60 mph when the collision occurred and struck the disabled vehicle from the rear, the passenger airbag never deployed. This resulted in the passenger receiving significantly more serious injuries than that of the driver (who's airbag did deploy).
Steering · at 107,000 miles · reported Aug 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the power steering would fail to operate. The steering wheel would require excessive force in order to steer the vehicle. The contact would frequently replenish the steering fluid however, the failure persisted. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000
Electrical System · at 120,000 miles · reported Apr 3, 2021
Vehicle makes clunking, jerking noises and bad clunking sounds when you put it into gear or shift gears, digital gear display shows vehicle is in 5th gear all the time, accelerates very slowly.
Structure · at 45,500 miles · reported Dec 1, 2020
The car has a sound as if it were metal fatigue in the front of the hood a hard blow sounds loud every time the car moves from one side to the other they have not been able to find the problem they say what is a factory defect I AM afraid that it is a metal that is under fatigue and the engine falls on the ground running on the street.

Other Nissan Maxima years

Compare all Nissan Maxima years · All Nissan models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Nissan Maxima: 05V-512 (seats), 05V-338 (child seat). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Nissan Maxima?

Owners report power train problems most often (782 reports), followed by engine (61). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 85,000 miles.

Are Nissan recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Nissan dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.